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Friday, May 25, 2012

Author Spotlight - Teresa Gabelman

Author Bio!

Teresa Gabelman is a working mother of a 17-year-old son, wife to her high school sweetie and peacemaker of her two mischievous mutts. She is a fan of mixed martial arts, is a third degree black belt in Taekwondo and watches way too much reality TV. Books that are fast reads filled with romance, humor, butt kicking men and women who can keep up with them are her favorite. Always having a story banging around in her head demanding to be told, she hopes to take you from your reality if only for an hour or two. 'Damon' is her first novel.

1. Did you always know you want to be an author? If not at what age did you realize that was your calling?It’s kind of hard to say really because even when I was little I had such an overactive imagination that I would daydream stuff constantly. I had to have a lot of surgeries as a child and spent so much time in hospitals that I guess I was writing stories in my head, but eighteen years ago is when I actually wrote my first book. ‘Answered Dreams’ was a western love story set in the 1800’s that is still sitting in my closet waiting to be retyped.

2. What is your all time favourite book?I would have to say ‘Forever’ by Judy Bloom. I was never a big reader until a friend of mine in middle school told me that I had to read this book. I fell in love with reading after the first chapter. I still have my first copy and read it at least once a year if not more. It’s what started my addiction for books, which led me writing down the voices in my head.

3. What was your inspiration for Damon and the Protector Series?I love vampires. I remember when I was a little girl my brother, who is eleven years older than me, loved the old monster movies. The first time I saw a vampire movie I slept with the covers wrapped around my neck for what seemed like forever. I started reading Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunter books and fell in love with vampires all over again. I wanted to do something a little different by bringing the vampires out in the open to converse with humans. I always wondered what would it be like if there really were vampires so I started writing Damon.

4. If you were asked to cast Damon into a movie version of your book, who would you choose?Chris Hemsworth who played Thor…..that’s a fine piece of man right there.

5. We've read the first book, we know there is a second one coming soon (which we can't wait to read!!!) Can you tell us more about Book 2, what characters it is introducing or expanding on?

Okay here’s the thing about book 2. I was so excited about doing Jared’s book while finishing Damon’s book, but when I got to it and started I absolutely hated it. I sent it to my friend, who is so brutally honest it hurts, and she hated it. I was actually happy about that because it meant I was on track with my feelings. So I started again and I hated it again, went through the same process and now finally it’s flowing and brutally honest friend is loving it. I had a hard time with Tessa at first. So many people loved Nicole’s character that Tessa kept falling flat to me. She is totally different than Nicole, but in a good way that I think will make readers happy. Everybody wanted Jared and Pam to get together, but I felt they were too much alike. I have big plans for Pam, don’t worry. She is a hoot. All the other characters from Damon will be making an appearance in the second, yes even Chad, along with the new characters Tessa, Adam and the evil Ricky Sparrow. I don’t want to say much about the second one yet, except Jared has been ordered to obtain a new job so out of his character it’s hilarious, Chad may or may not get his painful due by Damon and there is going to be one hell of an ending that has never changed even though the first part has many times and it involves everybody. Man I can’t wait to write that. Getting close!6. Do you have plans to continue the series after the second installment?

Yes, Duncan is going to be the third. I know that one is going to surprise most, but I have serious plans for that vamp.

7. Do you have any quirks or habits while writing?

This is too funny. I have a bad habit when I get so deep into my stories I have actually called my husband by the wrong name. Thank God he’s understanding. So yeah he was Damon, by name, a few times and Sid once. He hasn’t been Jared yet, but I see that one coming soon. He kinda stopped talking to me when he sees me on my little laptop. Oh and I always have music going, usually soft rock unless it’s a fight scene then it’s AC/DC or Metallica. Can’t have my dudes fighting to soft rock.8. What distracts you from your writing time?

My full time job. HA! If my boss is reading this, I’m just kidding Marlene. I absolutely love my full time job. Seriously, I think I distract myself too much if that makes any sense. I put too much pressure on me and it totally distracts me from just letting go. The first book was easy, the second book has been a lot harder, but it’s coming along great now….finally.9. Do you read your reviews? Do you take them into consideration when writing?

Yes, I definitely read my reviews and take every single one in consideration when I write. Okay this might be a little long winded, but I do feel strongly about this. I write what I like, but if I don’t take into consideration what the readers think or want, then I’m not a very good author. Bottom line is if I don’t have readers I’m not an author in my mind. I have learned more from reviews than I could have ever learned without them. I’ve had reviews that make me laugh. I’ve had some reviews that were a little negative, but I could see their point. I’ve had reviews that really made me think. When I write I know what I want to say because it’s in my head, but sometimes what I write doesn’t always click with readers. If something turns off not one but two readers such as a belly button scene, the chances are it’s going to totally turn off others. ;) I need to know that stuff and to me that is why reviews are so important. Now if I get a review that says I hate you, your book and you suck, but doesn’t explain why they hate me, my book and why I suck then I’ll have to let that one pass because it’s useless in helping me. Thank goodness that kind of review hasn’t come up that I’ve seen, but if it does I hope they explain it. If they don’t then it’s all good and I’ll move on to the next review that will help.10. How would you summarize your experience as a debut writer so far? Has it been what you expected, or have you had some surprises along the way?

Awesome!!! It has been a dream for so long and to finally have it happening is so exciting. I went in with low expectations because I know how hard and competitive it is, but it’s all good. I have met some really good peeps who want nothing more than to help you. It has been truly amazing. I guess the most surprising is how much readers want to like your book and if it doesn’t hit their expectations they let you know, but in a positive way. At least that has been my experience so far and I’m very thankful for it.

11. Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

My advice is to just go for it. Have friends who are not afraid to hurt your feelings read anything you write before submitting your writing. You want brutal honesty. Have tough skin so when you get a bad review you can take it as a stepping stone into making you a better writer. Listen to your readers. They are as important as the words you write.

I want to thank everyone who has supported me and to all the readers out there. I especially want to thank Lily and Erin. I really appreciate this opportunity. Without great people like you guys Indie authors would have a harder road to travel. You guys ROCK!!!

Teresa, we want to thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to provide us with an interview. As always, its a pleasure!

Thank you for taking the time and effort to share with us today and for the awesome giveaway opportunity. I admire you so much for looking at Jared's story and being willing to change after all that effort. I bet it is going to turn out great because of this.

Thanks so much for all the comments and entries! It means the world to me. Good luck to everyone and if you all haven't seen Thor you absolutely have to see it. Chris Hemsworth is.....'sorry had to fan myself'.....HOT!If anyone has any questions I'll be back so ask away if that's okay with Lilly and Erin who ROCK by the way.

HA! Thanks, hope you don't regret that cause man once I get to talking about writing and stories I just cannot shut up. Denise Z, thank you for your kind words. Lacey it's a good thing my husband is understanding....to a point. :)

Please remember that we are verifying your entries, so please be honest or your entries will be removed. We would like to keep this fair for everyone who is actually doing what they should have to earn their entries.

It is really funny. The first time it happened I broke out in a cold sweat thinking....OMG what did I just do. My husband just looked at me and said, "Damon is the dude in your story right?" and I said..."Uh-huh." He just shook his head. YIKES!I think Chris Hemsworth is in many dreams and not all sweet. HA! Thanks Lissette

Congrats Desiree & Captivated Reading!!! Your books are in the mail and on their way to you. Yes, I'm fast. Thanks everyone for your posts and entries, it means so much to me. And to Erin & Lily thank you again! Now I am off to enter for the The Truce giveaway. :)

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